Social Psychology Chapter 2 Flashcards
why learn research methods
to become a better to consumer and to better understand findings of research in this and other literature
hypothesis
explicit, testable prediction
theory
organized set of principles to explain observed phenomena
basic research
increase understanding of human behavior through testing hypothesis from a specific theory
applied research
practical application and solutions to world problems
conceptual variables
variables of a hypothesis that are general
operational definitions (variable)
necessary to describe the variables for the purpose of study to manipulate and measure it
Most often used measurements of variables
self-reports and observations
self reports
explore and question a specific variable but are not always reliable because they can be inaccurate or misleading and affected by the way questions are asked
Bogus pipeline technique
utilized to minimize our natural inclination during self-reports to pain ourselves in a better light–leads participants to believe that their responses are measured by a lie detector of sorts
Interrater reliability
the degree to which different observers agree on their observations
social psychologist develop ideas
not just to support their ideas but in ways that can possibly prove them wrong
Descriptive research
to describe people and their thoughts, feelings and behaviors
Archival studies
examination of existing records of past events and behaviors (best for examining cultural and historic trends)
Surveys
selection of participants (population) random sampling is best
confederate
People who act as thought they are participants in an experiment but are really working for the experimenter
mundane realism
extent to which the experiment mimics the real world setting
deception
providing participants with fake information about experimental procedures
confound
other factor that varies consistently along with the manipulation
correlation coefficient
measures the relationship between two variables including the strength and direction of the relationship with ranges between -1 and +1
correlation research
research that measures relationship or correlation
debriefing
discussion with participants after the experiment that discloses methods and nature of research
dependent variable
the variable in an experiment that is acted upon by the variable that is manipulated
independent variable
the variable in an experiment that is manipulated